Recording medium recording program causing computer to perform data transfer

ABSTRACT

A data sending apparatus, on sending data to a receiving apparatus, searches its storage for a transmission method to the receiving apparatus. After sending data to the receiving apparatus, the sending apparatus receives from the receiving apparatus a transmission result including a transmission condition and capabilities of the receiving apparatus. When an error occurs during the data transmission, the sending apparatus reads the communication and processing capabilities of the receiving apparatus from the transmission result, and resends the data by a transmission method in accordance with the receiving apparatus. It then acquires the transmission result and stores the same in the storage.

This application is based on Japanese Patent Applications Nos.2002-103855 and 2003-036927, the entire content of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to recording mediums, and moreparticularly to a recording medium which records a program causing acomputer to perform data transfer.

2. Description of the Related Art

In data transfer through a network, an error may occur, in which casedata sent from a sending apparatus would not be received by a receivingapparatus.

As a way of dealing with such a situation, Japanese Patent Laying-OpenNo. 2001-197152 discloses a serving device which senses an error,automatically handles the same, and further notifies of occurrence ofthe error.

As another way of dealing with the situation, Japanese PatentLaying-Open No. 2000-32184 discloses an image processor which canautomatically switch a transmission method upon occurrence of an errorto another transmission method for retransmission.

When the server device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No.2001-197152 is employed, however, a sending apparatus would not be ableto acquire states and capabilities of a receiving apparatus, and thus,it cannot select an alternative transmission method if any.

When the image processor disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No.2000-32184 is employed, again, the sending apparatus cannot confirm thecapabilities of the receiving apparatus. The receiving apparatus may notbe able to receive data with the switched other transmission method,causing another error to occur.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Based on the foregoing, an object of the present invention is to providea recording medium that records a program causing a computer to performdata transfer.

The object of the present invention is accomplished by a recordingmedium that records a data transfer program causing a computer toexecute a data transfer method including the following steps. That is,the recording medium records the data transfer program that causes acomputer to perform: a sending step of sending data to a receivingapparatus by a first transmission method; a receiving step of receivingfrom the receiving apparatus information including a reception result tothe effect that the data sent by the first transmission method cannot beprocessed appropriately and capability of the receiving apparatus; andan outputting step of outputting a second transmission method forreplacement of the first transmission method to a prescribed destinationbased on the information received from the receiving apparatus.

Preferably, the data transfer program causes the computer to perform aresending step of resending the data to the receiving apparatus by thesecond transmission method.

Still preferably, the data transfer program causes the computer toperform a storing step of storing the information received from thereceiving apparatus in a storage device, and a selecting step ofselecting, when sending data to the receiving apparatus after receivingthe informaion, the second transmission method based on the informationstored in the storage device.

Still preferably, the data transfer program causes the computer toperform a transferring step of transferring the information receivedfrom the receiving apparatus to and from another apparatus.

The first and second transmission methods are preferably determined bycommunication protocols

Alternatively, the first and second transmission methods are preferablydetermined by communication attributes.

Preferably, the second transmission method is transmission to anotherapparatus other than the receiving apparatus.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a recording mediumrecords a data transfer program causing a computer to execute a datatransfer method including: a detecting step of detecting that data issent from a sender source to the computer by a first transmissionmethod; and a reporting step of reporting to the sender source by asecond transmission method replacing the first transmission method whenit is determined that the computer cannot process the data sent by thefirst transmission method appropriately.

The first and second transmission methods are preferably determined bycommunication protocols.

Alternatively, the first and second transmission methods are preferablydetermined by communication attributes.

Preferably, the reporting step includes the step of reportinginformation about a transmission method with which the computer canprocess the received data.

Still preferably, the information reported in the reporting step isinformation about a plurality of kinds of transmission methods.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a recordingmedium records a communication program causing a computer to executecommunication methods including: a sending step of sending data to areceiving apparatus by a first communication method; a receiving step ofreceiving from the receiving apparatus information about a usablecommunication method in the receiving apparatus when the receivingapparatus cannot normally receive the data by the first communicationmethod; and a resending step of resending the data by a secondcommunication method different from the first communication method basedon the information received from the receiving apparatus.

The first and second communication methods preferably have differentcommunication protocols.

Alternatively, the first and second communication methods preferablyhave different communication paths.

Still alternatively, the first and second communication methodspreferably have different receiving apparatuses as destinations of thedata.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an informationprocessing apparatus includes: a sending portion sending data to areceiving apparatus by a first communication method; and a receivingportion receiving from the receiving apparatus information about ausable communication method in the receiving apparatus when thereceiving apparatus cannot normally receive the data by the firstcommunication method.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, aninformation processing apparatus includes: a communication portioncommunicable by a first communication method and a second communicationmethod; and a control portion controlling the communication portion suchthat it sends information about a communication method of theinformation processing apparatus to a sender source by the secondcommunication method when it is determined that the informationprocessing apparatus cannot normally perform a reception process on datasent from the sender source by the first communication method.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of thepresent invention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the present invention when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a data transfer system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a sending apparatus1 shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a receivingapparatus 2 shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a mail server 3shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a data transmitting process insending apparatus 1.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a data receiving process inreceiving apparatus 2.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a data transferring process in asender mail server 31.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a data transferring process in areceiver mail server 32.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a data transmitting process insending apparatus 1 of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a data receiving process inreceiving apparatus 2 of the embodiment.

FIG. 11 shows by way of example a transmission result that is reportedfrom receiving apparatus 2 to sending apparatus 1.

FIG. 12 shows an error message display by way of example.

FIG. 13 shows by way of example a transmission result in the case wherereceiving apparatus 2 is a G3 facsimile.

FIG. 14 shows by way of example a transmission result in the case wherereceiving apparatus 2 is a G4 facsimile.

FIG. 15 shows by way of example a transmission result in the case wherereceiving apparatus 2 is an internet facsimile.

FIG. 16 shows by way of example a transmission result in the case wherereceiving apparatus 2 is an IPP printer.

FIGS. 17-20 show first through fourth specific examples of the errordisplay.

FIG. 21 shows a configuration of a data transfer system according to asecond modification of the embodiment.

FIGS. 22 and 23 show first and second specific examples ofretransmission report display.

FIGS. 24 and 25 show fifth and sixth specific examples of the errordisplay.

FIG. 26 shows a configuration of a data transfer system according to athird modification of the embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be describedwith reference to the drawings. In the following description, the samedevices or elements denoted by the same reference characters have thesame names and functions, and thus, detailed description thereof willnot be repeated.

Referring to FIG. 1, the data transfer system according to an embodimentof the present invention includes a sending apparatus 1, a receivingapparatus 2, a sender mail server 31 and a receiver mail server 32,which are connected through a network 4. Sending apparatus 1 andreceiving apparatus 2 are further connected through a telephone line 5.

Sending apparatus 1 and receiving apparatus 2 are provided withfunctions to send/receive data such as documents and images throughnetwork 4 and telephone line 5. In the present embodiment, sendingapparatus 1 is described as a personal computer provided with functionsto communicate through network 4 and through telephone line 5, andreceiving apparatus 2 is described as a compound type apparatus calledMFP (Mutli Function Peripheral) provided with functions to communicatethrough network 4 and through telephone line 5, although they are notlimited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 2, sending apparatus 1 includes a controller 101 whichis formed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like and performs anentire control of sending apparatus 1, a storage device 102 which storesprograms executed by controller 101 and various kinds of information, aninput device 103 which is formed of a keyboard, a mouse or the like, adisplay device 104 which is formed of a display or the like, a networkI/F 105 for sending/receiving information through network 4, and atelephone line I/F 106 for sending/receiving information throughtelephone line 5. Sending apparatus 1 may further include a recordingmedium reading device 107 for reading a recording medium 108 such as aflexible disk, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory) or the like,which reads a program to be executed by controller 101 from recordingmedium 108.

Shown in FIG. 2 is a configuration of a common personal computer. Theconfiguration of sending apparatus 1 is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 3, receiving apparatus 2 includes a controller 201which is formed of a CPU or the like and performs an entire control ofreceiving apparatus 2, a storage device 202 which stores programsexecuted by controller 201 and various kinds of information, an inputdevice 203 formed of an input button or the like, a display device 204formed of a display panel or the like, a printing device 205 whichperforms a printing process, a network I/F 206 for sending/receivinginformation through network 4, and a telephone line I/F 207 forsending/receiving information through telephone line 5.

The configuration of receiving apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 3 is aconfiguration of a common MFP, which is merely illustrative and notrestrictive at all.

Here, sender mail server 31 and receiver mail server 32 are collectivelyreferred to as a mail server 3. FIG. 4 shows a specific example of aconfiguration of mail server 3.

Referring to FIG. 4, mail server 3 includes a controller 301 which isformed of a CPU or the like and performs an entire control of mailserver 3, a storage device 302 which stores programs executed bycontroller 301 and various kinds of information, an input device 303formed of a setting button or the like, and a network I/F 305 forsending/receiving information through network 4. Mail server 3 mayfurther include a recording medium reading device 307 reading arecording medium 308 such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM or the like,which reads a program being executed by controller 301 from recordingmedium 308.

Mail server 3 is structured with a common computer or the like whoseconfiguration is shown in FIG. 4 by way of example. The configuration ofmail server 3 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 4.

Although the case where separate mail servers 3 are provided for thesender side (sender mail server 31) and for the receiver side (receivermail server 32) as shown in FIG. 1 is described in the following, aconfiguration where the sender side and the receiver side use one andthe same mail server 3 may also be employed.

In the data transfer system including sending apparatus 1 and receivingapparatus 2 described above, data is transferred from sending apparatus1 to receiving apparatus 2. There are three paths for use in the datatransfer. The first transfer path is for transferring data throughtelephone line 5. The second transfer path is for transferring datadirectly from sending apparatus 1 to receiving apparatus 2 throughnetwork 4. The third transfer path is for transferring data throughnetwork 4 by way of sender mail server 31 and receiver mail server 32.

Hereinafter, a data transferring process in the data transfer system ofthe present embodiment is described.

Firstly, the data transmitting process in sending apparatus 1 isdescribed with reference to a flow chart of FIG. 5. The processillustrated in the flow chart of FIG. 5 is implemented as controller 101of sending apparatus 1 reads and executes a program stored in storagedevice 102.

Referring to FIG. 5, firstly, data transmission setting is input frominput device 103 (S₁₀₁). Specifically, settings regarding selection ofdata to be sent, selection of receiving apparatus 2 as a destination ofdata and others are input in step S101.

Next, storage device 102 is searched to see if a transmission method hasbeen registered therein for the receiving apparatus 2 as the destinationinput in step S101 (S103). The registration of the transmission methodsearched in step S103 includes registration of communicationcapabilities including information on the first through third transferpaths described above, and registration of processing capabilitiesincluding information on attributes. The details will be described latergiving specific examples.

If the transmission method registered for the relevant receivingapparatus 2 is extracted from storage device 102 in step S103 (YES inS103), then data is sent using the extracted transmission method (S105).If the transmission method registered for the relevant receivingapparatus 2 is not extracted from storage device 102 in step S103, i.e.,if the transmission method has not been registered (NO in S103), thendata is sent using an arbitrary transmission method designated by a user(S107).

Sending apparatus 1, after sending data to receiving apparatus 2 ineither step S105 or step S107, receives a transmission result fromreceiving apparatus 2 (S108).

When the transmission result received from receiving apparatus 2 in stepS108 is one reporting that the data transmission was completed normally(NORMAL TERMINATION in S109), sending apparatus 1 ends the relevantprogram.

On the contrary, if an error occurs in receiving apparatus 2 uponreception of data, a transmission result is sent from receivingapparatus 2 to sending apparatus 1 by a transmission method that isdifferent from the one used for the data transmission.

When sending apparatus 1 receives the transmission result from receivingapparatus 2 (S108) and when the received transmission result is onereporting that an error occurred in the data transmission (ERROR inS109), and when an alternative transmission method for replacement ofthe failed transmission method is included in the received transmissionresult (YES in S111), then the alternative transmission method is readout of the transmission result. The alternative transmission methodobtained in step S111 is used to resend data to receiving apparatus 2(S113). On the other hand, when the transmission result received fromreceiving apparatus 2 in step S108 does not include an alternativetransmission method for replacement of the failed transmission method(NO in S111), then the relevant program is aborted determining thatthere is no appropriate transmission method from the relevant sendingapparatus 1 to receiving apparatus 2. The transmission method of thetransmission result from receiving apparatus 2 to sending apparatus 1will be described later.

The above-described steps S111 and S113 are repeated until atransmission result about the data retransmission in step S113 isreceived from receiving apparatus 2 and it is confirmed that the datatransmission was completed normally (NORMAL TERMINATION in S115).

When the data transmission is completed normally in step S115 (NORMALTERMINATION in S115), the alternative transmission method (capability ofreceiving apparatus 2) at that time and the transmission result areregistered, and stored in storage device 102 (S117).

The information stored in storage device 102 in step S117 is extractedlater for data transmission in step S103, and data is sent in step S105using the extracted transmission method suitable for the datatransmission to receiving apparatus 2.

The data transmitting process of sending apparatus 1 is thus completed.

Now, the data receiving process in receiving apparatus 2 is explainedwith reference to a flow chart in FIG. 6. The process illustrated in theflow chart of FIG. 6 is implemented as controller 201 of receivingapparatus 2 reads and executes a program stored in storage device 202.

Referring to FIG. 6, receiving apparatus 2, when detecting that data wassent out from sending apparatus 1 to the relevant receiving apparatus 2(YES in S201), analyzes the data transmission method (S203).

As a result of analysis in step S203, if the data transmission method isappropriate and receiving apparatus 2 can receive the data normally(NORMAL TERMINATION in S205), then it sends a transmission result tothat effect to sending apparatus 1 (S207).

If the data transmission method is inappropriate and receiving apparatus2 cannot receive the data (ERROR in S205) and there is an alternativetransmission method for replacement of the relevant transmission method(YES in S209), then receiving apparatus 2 sends as a transmission resultthe report that the data was not received and the alternativetransmission method to sending apparatus 1, by a transmission methoddifferent from that used by sending apparatus 1 for sending data (S211).

The alternative transmission method is determined according tocapabilities of the relevant receiving apparatus 2, which include itscommunication capabilities and processing capabilities regarding variousattributes. In other words, it is determined by a communication protocolor the like of receiving apparatus 2. Thus, in step S211, capabilitiesof the relevant receiving apparatus 2 may be reported as the alternativetransmission method. The capabilities of receiving apparatus 2 to bereported in such a case will be described later giving specificexamples.

Further, in step S211, the transmission result may be reported to anapparatus other than sending apparatus 1. Specifically, it may bereported to a personal computer (not shown) of a user having performeddata transmission setting, to a network administrator, or to a personalcomputer (not shown) of a user in charge of receiving apparatus 2. Basedon the reported transmission result, an error display reporting theoccurrence of error may be displayed on display device 104 of sendingapparatus 1, a display device (not shown) of the personal computer ofthe user having performed data transmission setting or the like. Stillfurther, when retransmission is conducted automatically based on thetransmission result, a retransmission report display to that effect maybe displayed. The error display and the retransmission report displaywill be described later giving specific examples. Although the errordisplay and the retransmission report display are described to bedisplayed on display device 104 of sending apparatus 1 in, thefollowing, they may be displayed on a display device (not shown) of thepersonal computer of the user having performed data transmission settingor the like when the transmission result is reported to an apparatusother than sending apparatus 1 as described above.

The report may be sent through any of the above-described first throughthird transfer paths. When the third transfer path is being used forreporting, i.e., when the report is sent via sender mail server 31 andreceiver mail server 32, header information of the data being sent fromsending apparatus 1 preferably includes mail address information ofsending apparatus 1, of the user having performed data transmissionsetting or the like.

The transmission result sent to sending apparatus 1 in step S207 or stepS211 is received in step S109 in FIG. 5 as described above, and it isdetermined whether the data transmission was executed normally or not.The alternative transmission method sent to sending apparatus 1 in stepS211 is read in step S111 of FIG. 5, and data is resent to receivingapparatus 2 by the relevant alternative transmission method in stepS113.

The data receiving process in receiving apparatus 2 is thus completed.When data is being sent using the third transfer path by way of sendermail server 31 and receiver mail server 32, sender mail server 31 andreceiver mail server 32 also perform data transferring processes. Theprocesses in sender mail server 31 and receiver mail server 32 in such acase will now be described.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating the data transferring process insender mail server 31. The process illustrated in the flow chart of FIG.7 is implemented as controller 301 of sender mail server 31 reads andexecutes a program stored in storage device 302.

Referring to FIG. 7, sender mail server 31, when receiving a datatransmission request from sending apparatus 1 through network 4 (YES inS301), receives data from sending apparatus 1 (S303). It then sends thedata received in step S303 to receiver mail server 32 (S305).

Sender mail server 31 receives a result of the transmission fromreceiver mail server 32 to receiving apparatus 2 (S307) . . . . Therelevant program is completed when the transmission result reports thatthe data transmission was completed normally (NORMAL TERMINATION inS307).

When the transmission result reports that there occurred an error duringthe data transmission (ERROR in S307) and when the received transmissionresult includes an alternative transmission method for replacement ofthe transmission method using the third transfer path (YES in S309),then sender mail server 31 reads the alternative transmission method outof the transmission result and reports the same to sending apparatus 1(S311).

The data transferring process in sender mail server 31 is thuscompleted.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating the data transferring process inreceiver mail server 32. The process illustrated in the flow chart ofFIG. 8 is implemented as controller 301 of receiver mail server 32 readsand executes a program stored in storage device 302.

Referring to FIG. 8, receiver mail server 32, in receipt of data fromsender mail server 31 (YES in S401), sends the data to receivingapparatus 2 (S403).

It then receives a transmission result from receiving apparatus 2reporting that the data was received normally or that the datatransmission was failed (S405). The transmission result reporting thedata transmission error may include an alternative transmission methodfor replacement of the transmission method using the third transferpath.

Receiver mail server 32 sends the transmission result received in stepS405 to sender mail server 31 (S407).

The data transferring process in receiver mail server 32 is thuscompleted.

The present embodiment is characterized in that, as an alternativetransmission method, a protocol is changed to switch a data transferpath for retransmission. Processes in sending apparatus 1 and receivingapparatus 2 of the present embodiment are now explained specificallywith reference to flow charts in FIGS. 9 and 10.

In the present embodiment, referring to the flow chart of FIG. 9,sending apparatus 1 accepts an input of data transmission setting frominput device 103 in step S501, as in the above-described step S101.

Next, storage device 102 is searched in step S503 to see if a protocoldetermining a transmission method has been registered for thedestination receiving apparatus 2 input in step S501.

When the protocol registered for the relevant receiving apparatus 2 isextracted from storage device 102 in step S503 (YES in S503), data issent according to the extracted protocol (S505). If a protocolregistered for the receiving apparatus 2 is not extracted from storagedevice 102 in step S503, i.e., if a protocol determining a transmissionmethod has not been registered therefor (NO in S503), then data is sentaccording to a protocol designated by a user (S507).

Sending apparatus 1, after sending data to receiving apparatus 2 in stepS505 or step S507, receives a transmission result from receivingapparatus 2 in step S508.

When the transmission result received from receiving apparatus 2 in stepS508 is one reporting that the data transmission was completed normally(NORMAL TERMINATION in S509), then sending apparatus 1 completes therelevant program.

If an error occurred in receiving apparatus 2 during reception of data,the transmission result is sent from receiving apparatus 2 to sendingapparatus 1 according to a protocol that is different from the one usedfor the data transmission.

When sending apparatus 1 receives the transmission result from receivingapparatus 2 (S508) and when the received transmission result is the onereporting that the data transmission was failed (ERROR in S509), andfurther when the received transmission result includes an alternativeprotocol for replacement of the failed protocol (YES in S511), thensending apparatus 1 reads the alternative protocol out of thetransmission result. Sending apparatus 1 then resends the data toreceiving apparatus 2 according to the alternative protocol obtained instep S511 (S513). When the transmission result received from receivingapparatus 2 in step S508 does not include an alternative protocol forreplacement of the failed protocol (NO in S511), then sending apparatus1 aborts the relevant program considering that there is no protocoldetermining a transmission method suitable for sending data from therelevant sending apparatus 1 to receiving apparatus 2.

Sending apparatus 1 receives from receiving apparatus 2 a transmissionresult about the data retransmission in step S513, and repeats stepsS511 and S513 until the data transmission is completed normally (NORMALTERMINATION in S515).

When the data transmission is completed normally in step S515 (NORMALTERMINATION in S515), sending apparatus 1 registers the alternativeprotocol at that time and the transmission result, and stores the samein storage device 102 (S517).

The information stored in storage device 102 in step S517 is extractedlater in step S503 when data transmission is performed, and the datatransmission is executed in step S505 according to the extractedprotocol suitable for receiving apparatus 2.

The data transmitting process in sending apparatus 1 of the presentembodiment is thus completed.

Now, the data receiving process in receiving apparatus 2 is explained.

In the present embodiment, referring to the flow chart in FIG. 10,receiving apparatus 2, when detecting that data has been sent fromsending apparatus 1 to the relevant receiving apparatus 2 (YES in S601),analyzes the receiving method (S603).

As a result of analysis in step S603, when the protocol determining thedata transmission method is an appropriate protocol and thus receivingapparatus 2 can receive data normally (NORMAL TERMINATION in S605),receiving apparatus 2 reports the same to sending apparatus 1 as atransmission result (S607).

When the protocol determining the data transmission method is aninappropriate one and thus receiving apparatus 2 cannot receive data(ERROR in S605) and when there is an alternative protocol forreplacement of the relevant protocol (YES in S609), then receivingapparatus 2 sends a report that the data was not received and thealternative protocol to sending apparatus 1 as a transmission result,according to a protocol other than the one with which data was send fromsending apparatus 1 (S611).

The data receiving process in receiving apparatus 2 of the presentembodiment is thus completed.

As a first specific example of the present embodiment, sending apparatus1 sends data to receiving apparatus 2 in step S505 or step S507 in FIG.9, from telephone line I/F 106 through the first transfer path by way oftelephone line 5. When an error occurs at this time, receiving apparatus2 analyzes the receiving condition in step S603 in FIG. 10 and, in stepS611, it sends a transmission result to sending apparatus 1 via networkI/F 206. Specifically, it reports the fact that the data was notreceived and a protocol which determines an alternative transmissionmethod using either the second transfer path with which data istransmitted directly through network 4 or the third transfer path withwhich data is transmitted by way of sender mail server 31 and receivermail server 32. The relevant report is sent to sending apparatus 1 usinga path that is different from the path used for sending data fromsending apparatus 1 to receiving apparatus 2 (the first transfer path byway of telephone line 5 in this specific example), which may be the samepath as the alternative transmission method, or another path availablefor transmission at this time.

Here, if there is only one transfer path as the alternative transmissionmethod, use of the relevant path for sending the transmission result tosending apparatus 1 in itself can be regarded as the report of thealternative transmission method. Thus, it is preferable that receivingapparatus 2 sends the transmission result to sending apparatus 1 usingthe alternative transmission method and that the transmission resultincludes therein a destination (telephone number when the alternativetransmission method corresponds to the first transfer path throughtelephone line 5, or mail address when the alternative transmissionmethod corresponds to the third transfer path by way of sender mailserver 31 and receiver mail server 32) for performing data transmissionto receiving apparatus 2 using the relevant alternative transmissionmethod.

When receiving apparatus 2 can receive data through a plurality ofpaths, receiving apparatus 2 may report to sending apparatus 1 protocolsdetermining the plurality of transfer paths through which it can receivedata (in this specific example, both the second transfer path for directtransmission through network 4 and the third transfer path by way ofsender mail server 31 and receiver mail server 32) as the alternativetransmission methods. In this case, receiving apparatus 2 may report theplurality of transfer paths with priorities assigned thereto.

Further, as the alternative transmission method, receiving apparatus 2may report to sending apparatus 1, instead of a specific transfer path,a destination for data transmission to receiving apparatus 2 through therelevant transfer path. More specifically, assume that data transmissionto receiving apparatus 2 through the first transfer path by way oftelephone line 5 is failed due to service interruption of a facsimilefunction of receiving apparatus 2. In such a case, receiving apparatus 2may report a transmission result indicating a mail address for receivingthe data via an internet facsimile function or an IP address forreceiving the data via an IPP print function as the alternativetransmission method to sending apparatus 1, using a function other thanthe facsimile function.

Based on the transmission result received in step S509 in FIG. 9,sending apparatus 1 switches the protocol determining the transmissionmethod to the one determining the alternative transmission method usingeither the second transfer path for direct transmission through network4 or the third transfer path by way of sender mail server 31 andreceiver mail server 32, and resends data to receiving apparatus 2 instep S513.

Here, sending apparatus 1 may switch the transmission method to the oneusing the same transfer path as the path through which the report of thealternative transmission method was sent from receiving apparatus 2.Alternatively, when a plurality of transfer paths included in thealternative transmission method reported from receiving apparatus 2 havepriorities assigned thereto, sending apparatus 1 may switch thetransmission method according to the priorities. Further, when thealternative transmission method reported from receiving apparatus 2includes a plurality of transfer paths, sending apparatus 1 may employthe prescribed priorities to select and switch to an appropriatetransfer path among them.

Sending apparatus 1 stores the transmission result and the protocoldetermining the transmission method with respect to receiving apparatus2 in storage device 102. When data transmission to receiving apparatus 2is performed later, the stored information is extracted, and data issent according to the protocol corresponding to the second transfer pathfor direct transmission through network 4 or the third transfer path byway of sender mail server 31 and receiver mail server 32.

As a second specific example of the present embodiment, assume that anerror occurs at the time when data is sent from sending apparatus 1 toreceiving apparatus 2 through the second transfer path for directtransmission through network 4. In such a case, sending apparatus 1 mayreceive, as a transmission result from receiving apparatus 2, analternative protocol determining the transmission method using eitherthe first transfer path through telephone line 5 or the third transferpath by way of sender mail server 31 and receiver mail server 32,according to a protocol other than the protocol corresponding to thesecond transfer path for direct transmission through network 4 subjectedto the error. In this case, again, sending apparatus 1 switches thetransmission method, based on the transmission result, from the protocolcorresponding to the second transfer path for direct transmissionthrough network 4 to the alternative protocol corresponding to the firsttransfer path through telephone line 5 or the third transfer path by wayof server mail server 31 and receiver mail server 32, and resends datato receiving apparatus 2. Sending apparatus 1 stores the transmissionresult and the protocol determining the transmission method with respectto receiving apparatus 2 in storage device 102.

FIG. 11 shows a specific example of the transmission result reportedfrom receiving apparatus 2 to sending apparatus 1. It corresponds to thecase where receiving apparatus 2, which is an MFP, is provided with afast facsimile function called “G3 facsimile” for a analog communicationline, a fast facsimile function called “G4 facsimile” assuming the useof a digital communication line, an internet facsimile functionutilizing an internet line, and an IPP anternet Printing Protocol) printfunction using HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) for transfer of printdata.

The transmission result as shown in FIG. 11 is reported from receivingapparatus 2 to sending apparatus 1 when data is sent from sendingapparatus 1 to receiving apparatus 2 using the first transfer path(first protocol) through telephone line 5. That is, when sendingapparatus 1 sends data to receiving apparatus 2 through the firsttransfer path by way of telephone line 5, if receiving apparatus 2cannot receive the data with the G3 facsimile function for analogcommunication line due to communication trouble occurring in the analogcommunication line, or with the G4 facsimile function for digitalcommunication line due to service interruption of the relevant function,then receiving apparatus 2 reports the transmission result shown in FIG.11 to sending apparatus 1 through a transfer path (protocol) differentfrom the first transfer path by way of telephone line 5. Thetransmission result shown in FIG. 11 indicates that the G3 facsimilefunction for analog communication line failed to receive data due tocommunication trouble and that the G4 facsimile function for digitalcommunication line failed to receive data because it was out of service.The transmission result shown in FIG. 11 further indicates that datareception can be done by alternative transmission methods via otherpaths, with an internet facsimile function utilizing an internet lineand an IPP print function using HTTP to transfer print data, byreporting access methods of mail address and IP address or the like asthe communicable transfer paths (protocols). At this time, as furthershown in FIG. 11, processing capabilities and attributes such asavailable resolution of the relevant receiving apparatus 2 can bereported along with the transmission result. Further, in the case wheredata can be received through a plurality of transfer paths as describedabove, information indicating priorities of the transfer paths may alsobe reported as the transmission result to sending apparatus 1. Stillfurther, receiving apparatus 2 can report an alternative transmissionmethod to sending apparatus 1 by using the relevant method when sendingthe transmission result to the effect that the data reception was failedas shown in FIG. 11.

Sending apparatus 1 (or sender mail server 31 when the third transferpath described above is employed) can confirm whether data transmissionwas terminated normally or encountered an error, by acquiring thetransmission result as shown in FIG. 11 by way of example. When the datatransmission is failed, sending apparatus 1 can further detect anavailable transfer path (protocol) being an access method such as atelephone number, a mail address or the like from the transmissionresult, and automatically switch the transfer path (protocol) to resenddata to receiving apparatus 2. Alternatively, it can automaticallyswitch the transfer path to the path through which it received thetransmission result reporting the data transmission error, to resenddata to receiving apparatus 2. When sending apparatus 1 automaticallyresends data in these manners, a retransmission report display like“data was resent by switching the protocol for receiving apparatus 2from the first protocol to the second protocol” can be provided ondisplay device 104 of sending apparatus 1 or the like. Alternatively,the transmission result received from receiving apparatus 2 may bedisplayed on display device 104 of sending apparatus 1 or printed by aprinter (not shown) to report the transmission result and/or thealternative protocol included therein to the user. Sending apparatus 1may accept a retransmission designation of the relevant data from theuser, and may display an error message as shown in FIG. 12 in responseto the designation.

Although the case where different protocols correspond to differenttransfer paths has been described in the present embodiment, thetransmission method of the present invention is not limited thereto. Itmay be configured such that different protocols correspond to the sametransfer path or one protocol corresponds to multiple transfer paths.

First Modification

The first modification of the present embodiment is characterized inthat, as an alternative transmission method, sending apparatus 1switches one or more attributes of data for retransmission. The firstmodification is explained specifically in the following.

In the first modification, sending apparatus 1 sends data designated aspaper size “A3”, resolution “200×200 dpi” and color information “colorbinary” by G3 facsimile standards, for example, to receiving apparatus 2in step S105 or step S107 in FIG. 5.

At this time, the G3 facsimile function of receiving apparatus 2 hascapabilities and others as in the transmission result shown in FIG. 11by way of example, which do not support the paper size nor the colorinformation described above. It means that receiving apparatus 2 cannotreceive the relevant data normally with the G3 facsimile function. Thus,receiving apparatus 2 reports to sending apparatus 1 in step S211 inFIG. 6 the transmission result as shown in FIG. 11, using attributesother than those (paper size “A3”, color information “color binary”)which sending apparatus 1 sent to receiving apparatus 2. Morespecifically, the fact that the data reception was failed and theattributes supported by receiving apparatus 2 as alternativetransmission method as shown in FIG. 11 are reported as the transmissionresult to sending apparatus 1. If receiving apparatus 2 is an MFP, itmay send only the G3 facsimile information as shown in FIG. 13 as thetransmission result.

Alternatively, if receiving apparatus 2 is a so-called G3 facsimilemachine provided only with the G3 facsimile function whose capabilitiesand others are shown in FIG. 11 as a specific example of thetransmission result, again, it cannot receive the above-described datanormally. Thus, it reports the transmission result as shown in FIG. 13to sending apparatus 1 in step S211 in FIG. 6.

The transmission method used here for sending the report to sendingapparatus 1 has an attribute different from that sent from sendingapparatus 1 to receiving apparatus 2, as in the present embodiment,which attribute may be the same as that of the alternative transmissionmethod or another attribute available for data transmission at thattime. Further, when receiving apparatus 2 can receive data with aplurality of attributes, it may report the plurality of data-receivableattributes (in this specific example, both attributes of resolution“200×100 dpi” and color information “monochrome binary”) to sendingapparatus 1 as the alternative transmission methods, as shown in FIG. 11or 13. In such a case, receiving apparatus 2 may send the plurality ofattributes with priorities assigned thereto.

When sending apparatus 1 receives the transmission result as shown inFIG. 11 or 13 in step S109 of FIG. 5, it reads processing capabilitiesand attributes supported by the G3 facsimile function of receivingapparatus 2 from the transmission result in step S1 to convert the datato be sent. More specifically, it converts the paper size and colorinformation designated with respect to the data to paper size “A4” andcolor information “monochrome binary” supported by receiving apparatus2. It then resends the data converted to conform to the processingcapabilities and attributes supported by receiving apparatus 2, toreceiving apparatus 2 in step S113.

Similarly, in the case where receiving apparatus 2 receives G4 facsimiledata, internet facsimile data or IPP print data, when it cannot supportthe data sent from sending apparatus 1 with the relevant function, thenreceiving apparatus 2 reports the transmission result as shown in FIG.11 by way of example to sending apparatus 1 in step S211 in FIG. 6.

If receiving apparatus 2 is an MFP, it may report only the relevanttransmission protocol information, as shown in FIGS. 13-16.

Alternatively, in the case where receiving apparatus 2 is a so-called G4facsimile machine provided only with the G4 facsimile function whosecapabilities and others are shown in FIG. 11 as a specific example ofthe transmission result, when data not supported by the relevantfunction is sent from sending apparatus 1, it reports to sendingapparatus 1 the transmission result as shown in FIG. 14 by way ofexample in step S211 of FIG. 6. Further, in the case where receivingapparatus 2 is an internet facsimile machine provided only with theinternet facsimile function whose capabilities and others are shown inFIG. 11 as a specific example of the transmission result, when data notsupported by the relevant function is sent from sending apparatus 1, itreports the transmission result as shown in FIG. 15 by way of example tosending apparatus 1 in step S211 of FIG. 6. Still further, in the casewhere receiving apparatus 2 is an IPP printer provided only with the IPPprint function whose capabilities and others are shown in FIG. 11 as aspecific example of the transmission result, when data not supported bythe relevant function is sent from sending apparatus 1, it reports thetransmission result as shown in FIG. 16 by way of example to sendingapparatus 1 in step S211 of FIG. 6.

The attributes and processing capabilities of receiving apparatus 2 mayinclude, as shown in a specific example of the transmission result inFIG. 11, data color information (color/monochrome), file format, paperfeed tray condition (empty) and available time period, or they mayinclude other information. When a transmission result is obtainedindicating that these attributes and/or processing capabilities are notsupported by receiving apparatus 2, color conversion, file formatconversion, paper size conversion and/or others may be performed as analternative transmission method for retransmission of the data.

Step S111 in FIG. 5 where data is converted to an attributecorresponding to an alternative transmission method may be replaced witha step of providing an error display on display device 104 of sendingapparatus 1 or the like based on the transmission result to output adata attribute as the alternative transmission method, in which case aninput of the data conversion as described above may be accepted from auser. FIG. 17 shows a first specific example of the error display, whichis displayed on display device 104 of sending apparatus 1 or the likewhen the paper size or color information of the data transmitted fromsending apparatus 1 is not supported by receiving apparatus 2. Morespecifically, this error display is displayed on display device 104 ofsending apparatus 1 or the like when sending apparatus 1 sends data ofpaper size “B4” or color information “color binary” to receivingapparatus 2 having the G3 facsimile function as shown in FIG. 11 or 13,for example.

The alternative transmission method may be output in step S111 to any ofa personal computer (not shown) owned by a user having performed datatransmission setting, a network administrator, and a personal computer(not shown) owned by a user in charge of receiving apparatus 2.

FIG. 18 shows a second specific example of the error display. This errordisplay is displayed on display device 104 of sending apparatus 1 or thelike in the case where data transmitted from sending apparatus 1 hasdata color information not supported by receiving apparatus 2. Morespecifically, it is displayed on display device 104 of sending apparatus1 or the like when sending apparatus 1 sends color image data toreceiving apparatus 2 provided with the G4 facsimile function whichcorresponds only to monochrome binary as shown in FIG. 11 or 14.

FIG. 19 shows a third specific example of the error display. This errordisplay is displayed on display device 104 of sending apparatus 1 or thelike in the case where the paper feed tray of receiving apparatus 2corresponding to the paper size designated to the data transmitted fromsending apparatus 1 is empty. More specifically, it is displayed ondisplay device 104 of sending apparatus 1 or the like when sendingapparatus 1 sends data of paper size “A3” to receiving apparatus 2provided with the internet facsimile function as shown in FIG. 11 or 15and when, receiving apparatus 2 runs out of the A3 size paper.

FIG. 20 shows a fourth specific example of the error display. This errordisplay is displayed on display device 204 of receiving apparatus 2 orthe like in the case where the paper feed tray of receiving apparatus 2corresponding to the paper size designated to the data transmitted fromsending apparatus 1 is empty. More specifically, it is displayed ondisplay device 204 of receiving apparatus 2 or the like when sendingapparatus 1 sends data of paper size “B5” to receiving apparatus 2provided with the IPP print function as shown in FIG. 11 or 16 and whenreceiving apparatus 2 runs out of the B5 size paper.

When a transmission result is received indicating that the availabletime period is not supported, it is possible as an alternativetransmission method that the relevant data is temporarily stored instorage device 102 and resent during the available time period.

Second Modification

The second modification of the present embodiment is characterized inthat, as an alternative transmission method, receiving apparatus 2 isswitched for resending data. The second modification is explainedspecifically in the following.

FIG. 21 shows a configuration of the data transfer system according tothe second modification.

Referring to FIG. 21, the data transfer system of the secondmodification includes a plurality of receiving apparatuses 2 a-2 cinstead of receiving apparatus 2 included in the data transfer system ofthe present embodiment shown in FIG. 1. Although sending apparatus 1 andreceiving apparatuses 2 a-2 c are connected through telephone line 5,all the receiving apparatuses 2 a-2 c are not necessarily connected tosending apparatus 1 through telephone line 5, depending on communicablemeans of respective receiving apparatuses 2 a-2 c.

Referring to FIG. 21, in the second modification, sending apparatus 1sends data designated as paper size “A3”, resolution “200×200 dpi”,color information “color image”, to receiving apparatus 2 a in step S105or step S107 in FIG. 5.

At this time, when receiving apparatus 2 a is the G3 facsimile machinewhose capabilities and others are shown in FIGS. 11 and 13 as thetransmission result, the above-described paper size and colorinformation are not supported. Thus, receiving apparatus 2 a cannotreceive the relevant data normally, and reports the transmission resultshown in FIG. 11 to sending apparatus 1 in step S211 of FIG. 6. Here,the report to sending apparatus 1 may be carried out by reporting thedata attribute or protocol acceptable to the relevant receivingapparatus 2 a as an alternative transmission method, using a protocol orattribute different from the transmission method used for the datatransmission, as described above. Alternatively, as the alternativetransmission methods, protocols or attributes for sending data to one orboth of receiving apparatuses 2 b, 2 c other than receiving apparatus 2a may be reported to sending apparatus 1.

Sending apparatus 1 having received the transmission result as shown inFIG. 11 in step S109 in FIG. 5 can resend the data to other receivingapparatus 2 b, 2 c in step S111. That is, when sending apparatus 1receives as the alternative transmission methods the transmission resultindicating protocols or attributes for sending data to other receivingapparatuses 2 b, 2 c different from receiving apparatus 2 a as shown inFIG. 11, then sending apparatus 1 can resend the data to the otherreceiving apparatus 2 b, 2 c. In the case where receiving apparatus 2 bis an internet facsimile and sending apparatus 1 prestores in storagedevice 102 the protocol and attributes for sending data to receivingapparatus 2 b as shown in FIG. 15, then sending apparatus 1 can resendthe data to receiving apparatus 2 b supporting the above-described papersize and resolution of the send data in step S111.

When sending apparatus 1 automatically switches receiving apparatus 2 inthis manner, a retransmission report screen may be displayed on displaydevice 104 of sending apparatus 1 or the like. FIG. 22 shows a firstspecific example of the retransmission report display.

In the case where receiving apparatus 2 a being the G3 facsimile has anattribute of available time period not corresponding to the datatransmission from sending apparatus 1, sending apparatus 1 receives fromreceiving apparatus 2 a in step S109 the transmission result as shown inFIG. 11 indicating protocols or attributes for sending data to receivingapparatuses 2 b, 2 c other than receiving apparatus 2 a as thealternative transmission methods. Based on the received result, in stepS11, sending apparatus 1 can resend the data to the other receivingapparatus 2 b, 2 c corresponding to the relevant attribute of availabletime period. A retransmission report as shown in FIG. 23 is displayed ondisplay device 104 of sending apparatus 1 or the like. FIG. 23 shows asecond specific example of the retransmission report display.

In the case where the attributes of paper size and resolution ofreceiving apparatus 2 a do not correspond to the attributes of data sentfrom sending apparatus 1, sending apparatus 1 receives the transmissionresult as shown in FIG. 11 indicating protocols or attributes forsending data to receiving apparatuses 2 b, 2 c other than receivingapparatus 2 a as the alternative transmission methods, from receivingapparatus 2 a in step S109. Based on the received result, sendingapparatus 1 can display an error display shown in FIG. 24 on displaydevice 104 or the like, and accept an input designating dataretransmission to other receiving apparatus 2 b, 2 c corresponding tothe attributes of relevant paper size and resolution. FIG. 24 shows afifth specific example of the error display.

In the case where receiving apparatus 2 a is an internet facsimile whosecapabilities and others are shown in FIG. 15 as the transmission resultand when data sent from sending apparatus 1 has an attribute notcorresponding to the attribute of color of receiving apparatus 2 a, thensending apparatus 1 receives from receiving apparatus 2 a thetransmission result as shown in FIG. 11 indicating protocols orattributes for sending data to receiving apparatuses 2 b, 2 c other thanreceiving apparatus 2 a as the alternative transmission methods. Basedon the received result, sending apparatus 1 can display an error displayshown in FIG. 25 on display device 104 or the like, and accept an inputdesignating data retransmission to the other receiving apparatus 2 b or2 c corresponding to the relevant color attribute in step S111. FIG. 25shows a sixth specific example of the error display.

Third Modification

The third modification of the present embodiment is characterized inthat the transmission method registered by sending apparatus 1 as thetransmission method for receiving apparatus 2 in step S117 of FIG. 5, isshared by sending apparatuses 1 a-1 c. The third modification isexplained specifically in the following.

FIG. 26 shows a configuration of a data transfer system according to thethird modification.

Referring to FIG. 26, the data transfer system of the third modificationincludes a plurality of sending apparatuses 1 a-1 c instead of sendingapparatus 1 included in the data transfer system of the presentembodiment shown in FIG. 1. Sending apparatuses 1 a-1 c and receivingapparatus 2 are communicable through telephone line 5 and network 4.

Referring to FIG. 26, in the third modification, when sending apparatus1 a is to send data designated as paper size “A3”, color information“color binary” to receiving apparatus 2, it searches storage device 102for registration of previous transmission result and transmission methodwith respect to receiving apparatus 2 in step S103.

If such registration does not exist in storage device 102 of sendingapparatus 1 a, sending apparatus 1 a searches storage devices of othersending apparatuses 1 b and 1 c via network I/F 105 through network 4.

As a result, if there is such registration in other sending apparatus 1b or 1 c, it can read the registration of previous transmission resultand transmission method for receiving apparatus 2, or it can receive theregistered information sent from other sending apparatus 1 b or 1 c.More specifically, in the case where receiving apparatus 2 is the G3facsimile whose capabilities and others are shown in FIG. 13 as thetransmission result, sending apparatus 1 a obtains information read (orsent) from other sending apparatus 1 b or 1 c that the above-describedpaper size and color information are not supported. Thus, it convertsthe data to paper size “A4”, color information “monochrome binary” toconform to the attributes supported by receiving apparatus 2, and thensends the converted data to receiving apparatus 2 in step S105.

Although the method of resending data by changing a data attribute basedon a transmission result has been described in the third modification,data can of course be resent by changing a communication path (protocol)based on the transmission result, as in the present embodiment.

In the data transfer systems of the present embodiment and the firstthrough third modifications thereof, the above-described processes arecarried out to allow a sending apparatus to acquire state andcapabilities of a receiving apparatus and to switch a transmissionmethod. This can reduce errors, and thus, efficient and reliable datatransfer becomes possible.

Further, since information of transmission results acquired areaccumulated, in a later data transfer to the relevant receivingapparatus, a transmission method highly likely to succeed can beselected from among the accumulated transmission results for use in thedata transmission. Thus, the probability of occurrence of an error canbe reduced, and efficient and reliable data transfer is ensured.

Still further, the data transfer method employed by the sendingapparatus, the data receiving method employed by the receivingapparatus, and the data transfer method employed by the mail server ofany of the data transfer systems described above, can be provided asprograms. Each program may be provided as a program product that isrecorded on any computer readable recording medium such as a flexibledisk, CD-ROM, ROM, RAM or memory card attached to a computer, or a harddisk built in the computer. The program may also be provided bydownloading through a network. The program product provided is installedin a hard disk, and read out to a RAM for execution. The program productmay include the program itself and the recording medium recorded withthe program.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated indetail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustrationand example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spiritand scope of the present invention being limited only by the terms ofthe appended claims.

1-18. (canceled)
 19. A recording medium recording a data transferprogram causing a computer to execute a data transfer method comprisingthe steps of: detecting that data is sent from a sender source to saidcomputer by a first transmission method; and reporting to said sendersource by a second transmission method replacing said first transmissionmethod when it is determined that said computer cannot process said datasent by said first transmission method appropriately, wherein reportingincludes a data receiving capability of said computer.
 20. The recordingmedium according to claim 19, wherein said first and second transmissionmethods are determined by communication protocols.
 21. The recordingmedium according to claim 19, wherein said first and second transmissionmethods are determined by communication attributes.
 22. The recordingmedium according to claim 19, wherein said first and second transmissionmethods are determined by communication paths.
 23. An informationprocessing apparatus, comprising: a detecting portion detecting thatdata is sent from a sender source to said apparatus by a firsttransmission method; and a reporting portion reporting to said sendersource by a second transmission method replacing said first transmissionmethod when it is determined that said apparatus cannot process saiddata sent by said first transmission method appropriately, whereinreporting includes a data receiving capability of said apparatus. 24.The information processing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein saidfirst and second transmission methods are determined by communicationprotocols.
 25. The information processing apparatus according to claim23, wherein said first and second transmission methods are determined bycommunication attributes.
 26. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 23, wherein said first and second transmissionmethods are determined by communication paths.
 27. A data transfermethod comprising the steps of: detecting that data is sent from asender source to a computer by a first transmission method; andreporting to said sender source by a second transmission methodreplacing said first transmission method when it is determined that acomputer cannot process said data sent by said first transmission methodappropriately, wherein reporting includes a data receiving capability ofsaid computer.
 28. The data transfer method according to claim 27,wherein said first and second transmission methods are determined bycommunication protocols.
 29. The data transfer method according to claim27, wherein said first and second transmission methods are determined bycommunication attributes.
 30. The data transfer method according toclaim 27, wherein said first and second transmission method aredetermined by communication paths.
 31. A recording medium recording adata transfer program causing a computer to execute a data transfermethod comprising the steps of: sending data to a receiving apparatus bya communication method; receiving from said receiving apparatus firstinformation including a normal reception result and including a datareceiving capability of said receiving apparatus; and registering saidinformation received from said receiving apparatus to a storage device.32. The recording medium recording to claim 31, recording a datatransfer program causing the computer to execute the data transfermethod further comprising the steps of: transferring said informationreceived from said receiving apparatus and from another apparatus. 33.The recording medium according to claim 31, wherein said data receivingcapability of said receiving apparatus includes communication protocols.34. The recording medium according to claim 31, wherein said datareceiving capability of said receiving apparatus includes communicationattributes.
 35. The recording medium according to claim 31, wherein saiddata receiving capability of said receiving apparatus includescommunication paths.
 36. An information processing apparatus,comprising: a sending portion sending data to a receiving apparatus by acommunication method; a receiving portion receiving from said receivingapparatus information including a normal reception result and includinga data receiving capability of said receiving apparatus; and aregistering portion registering said information received from saidreceiving apparatus to a storage device.
 37. The information processingapparatus according to claim 36, further comprising: a transferringportion transferring said information received from said receivingapparatus to and from another apparatus.
 38. The information processingapparatus according to claim 36, wherein said information includescommunication protocols.
 39. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 36, wherein said information includes communicationattributes.
 40. The information processing apparatus according to claim36, wherein said information includes communication paths.